ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with an examination of what social constructionism is hegemonic masculinity. It examines how inclusive masculinity theory was developed out of changing cultural times as both a refinement of hegemonic masculinity theory, and a critique as well. The chapter argues that the field of masculinities has been too reliant upon hegemonic masculinity, and that it is dissipating new ways of imagining masculinities are emerging. It explains theories that are products of their times, and that as times change social theories often do too. Raewyn Connell’s work has been a major intervention in feminist theorizing of masculinities. It helped advance the study of masculinities, and it accurately captured the dynamics of many male cultures in the latter half of the twentieth century. Sociological research has demonstrated that masculinities in Western cultures have been closely related to personal and societal homophobia.
